Holehaven Creek SSSI

Holehaven Creek

Although Holehaven Creek is not designated as a SPA or SAC under the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994, it has been included within this assessment due to its status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and that it may also be included within the boundaries for one of the SPA sites in the near future. Other SSSIs within the study area, such as West Thurrock Lagoons and Marshes, have not been considered within this baseline document. Although they lie within the study area, they do not lie within the boundaries of a Natura 2000 site, and are not currently being considered for notification. As such, they are not mentioned further within this document.

Holehaven Creek regularly supports nationally important numbers of wintering Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa islandica). It is also noted for its assemblage of over 8,000 waterfowl during the winter, with dunlin (Caldris alpine) and curlew (Numenius arqueta) occasionally occurring in nationally important numbers.

A condition survey of this area was carried out on the 1st November 2005. There are nine management units within this designated site, and each was surveyed and allocated a status. This site was recorded as having an area of 100% falling within the ‘favourable’ assessment.